ReplayTV kick-a** deals...

[Lark888]

It's not. And $5-10/month for cable supplied DVR is more expensive than using my computer with a $40 used PVR card too. The deal is good IF you want a ReplayTV. Right now I'd rather pay an extra $7/mo for a second one than deal with the cable DVR interface (no commercial skip, no quick skip, etc) until there is enough HDTV to make it worth while to buy an HDTV and work with the cable interface every day.

The OP highlighted a deal on the hardware.

 

[GTFan]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
Your FAQ is misleading. TiVO has a similar rebate deal and it has TiVO To Go, something Replay TV does not. Also, a satellite company will often give away a PVR, not rent it, all you'll pay is $4.95 per months, for as many PVR's as you want as long as you pay for each receiver.

Your lack of knowledge of RTV's is misleading. RTV's have never needed a 'new' feature like 'Tivo To Go', since we've been able to network shows between units, download shows to PC's, and transfer them to other devices for years with DVArchive and friends.

Generally speaking (except for DTV dual-tuner Tivo's), when comparing a SatCo DVR vs. an RTV, there is no comparison. RTV's interface and features are better. You get what you pay for with these.

Oops, had to figure that we'd get back into the Tivo vs. RTV debate again, but I can't stand misleading stuff going unchallenged.

 

[jwardl]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
Your FAQ is misleading. TiVO has a similar rebate deal and it has TiVO To Go, something Replay TV does not. Also, a satellite company will often give away a PVR, not rent it, all you'll pay is $4.95 per months, for as many PVR's as you want as long as you pay for each receiver.

So, $4.95/mo for 1 (+) PVR's, plus $???/mo for each receiver to decode the satellite video for the DVR? I thought satellite DVR's were also satellite receivers. If that's not so, then I don't see where anything's being given away.

That aside, give me some credit. "Misleading" suggests that information was intentionally left out. That was not so. I leave it to the reader to do comparison shopping, and decide what is best for them. I didn't research every cable, satellite, and DVR company to make sure this deal was completely unbeatable by anyone else under all circumstances, and, I wasn't about to. Another thing: I didn't orignally intend to post the "FAQ" at all -- but thought of it at the end when I remembered the questions the newbies ALWAYS ask when Replay deals are posted. Thought I'd save them the time & trouble of having to ask.

IMHO, Replay is still a better deal than most are likely to offer. Having looked at comparative features of it and TiVo, and the obligation to a cable or satellite company to get one of their DVR's (whether through extra fees, or simply that you lose the unit and it's usefulness if you switch to a competitor), I'd prefer the Replay. Not everyone will feel that way. So, perhaps there was a little bias in my post, but isn't that generally the case with us all? We post what we feel is a "hot deal."

As I mentioned previously, however, the original post wasn't intended to convert anyone, it was primarily aimed at those who want ANOTHER Replay, or someone "on the fence" waiting for a good price... and these are absolutely good prices.

 

[rondor]

Most DISH offers include free equipment and only the $4.95/month fee for using the DVR. I have a dual tuner with a 100 hour DVR. I can record 2 shows at once and watch a different previously recorded show at the same time. All for $4.95/month over the basic satellite charge for whatever level programming you have. I suspect most people using a DVR have something besides over-the-air TV. If so, the $12.95/mo subscription fo Replay isn't appealing. If you don't have satellite or cable, the stand-alone Replay for $12.95 is probably ok. BTW -- For anyone who has never used a dvr -- Tivo, Replay, DISH, etc. -- it is PHENOMENAL! Both VCR's went out the door within days of getting DISH almost a year ago.

 

[captains]

is a replay totaly worthless with out subscription.....i already have one....would i be able to buy a second one and just transfer shows to it and watch them on another tv without a sub.

 

[jwardl]

Originally posted by: captains
is a replay totaly worthless with out subscription.....i already have one....would i be able to buy a second one and just transfer shows to it and watch them on another tv without a sub.

Not sure, actually. While it's definitely capable of networking shows like you suggest, I've seen comments on other websites stating that the Replay loses virtually ALL of it's abilities without a subscription (after the trial period). Can't verify that from experience, however.

Can anyone else answer the question from personal experience?

 

[jwardl]

Originally posted by: rondor
Most DISH offers include free equipment and only the $4.95/month fee for using the DVR. I have a dual tuner with a 100 hour DVR. I can record 2 shows at once and watch a different previously recorded show at the same time. All for $4.95/month over the basic satellite charge for whatever level programming you have. I suspect most people using a DVR have something besides over-the-air TV. If so, the $12.95/mo subscription fo Replay isn't appealing. If you don't have satellite or cable, the stand-alone Replay for $12.95 is probably ok. BTW -- For anyone who has never used a dvr -- Tivo, Replay, DISH, etc. -- it is PHENOMENAL! Both VCR's went out the door within days of getting DISH almost a year ago.

Suffice it to say that if you don't have a PVR, whatever brand you choose, you'll be glad you did. They all blow-away VCR's. The only advantage I can see to a VCR is the ability to play your existing VHS library (which can be digitized & transferred if you care to go to the trouble), and the ability to share videos through transfer of a physical object (the tape), as opposed to an upload/download.

I believe someone else mentioned that there are combo PVR/DVD recorder units. Never seen one, but I suppose this would offer the best of both worlds. For what it's worth, the Replay does have connections and software support built-in to allow copy of a recorded file to a VCR (and presumably, a DVD recorder). Other brands may offer this as well, I just can't promise it, having no experience with them.

 

[captains]

found my answer

Question Regarding Networking the 5000 series Replay units
Posted by: Anonymous [supersel@bigfoot.com] at 10/27/2004 at 21:17:51 reply
I have recently purchased a 5000 series unit and would like to know if I can get by with just having one lifetime subscription serice, then purchase another 5000 series unit (without any service) then copy the shows from the unit with the service to the unit without the service? Or can the services be shared between the two units?

Posted by: Anonymous at 12/05/2004 at 23:36:11 reply
No. You must have each replay unit registered for it to work except for the 10 day 'grace period' you get when a new ReplayTV is first turned on.

Since you will have 2 units registered in the same account, the second one should automaticaly be billed at 6.95 instead of the regular 12.95 per month. It does not matter wether the first unit in the account is monthly or lifetime activated to get the discount on the second unit.